Don’t get me wrong, my mother and I have a great relationship: We shop together, travel together, laugh together, and she’s pretty much my #1 fan (hey, Mom!). But what we don’t do is work together…and I don’t think we’d ever want to. Our competitive spirit rears its ugly head during fierce games of Yahtzee and epic Rummy tournaments – and those are just two examples of why the Bensmans tend to keep personal and professional affairs separate.

Not so for the mother/daughter design team behind Phillips House, a fine jewelry brand that counts celebs like Zooey Deschanel, Kerry Washington and Erin Wasson as fans. Danielle and Lisa Frankel launched Phillips House in April 2010, focusing on a blend of wearable classic design with a signature high-fashion aesthetic (Michelle Obama even wore a pair of Phillips House earrings to meet with Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton). NBD.

I caught up with the duo to learn more about the brand, their bond and a new baby who will most definitely be the best accessorized of the bunch.

Julie Bensman: How did the idea for Phillips House come about?

Lisa Frankel: I was always very creative, designing jewelry for friends, family and private customers. It seemed like the next chapter to start creating on a broader scale. When Danielle graduated college, we started designing together full time and things just clicked.

JB: What's the best thing about working with your mom?

Danielle Frankel: Designing is a vulnerable process so feeling that way in front of your mother is very comfortable. I could never image designing with anyone else.

JB: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

LF: I pull inspiration from the classics, thriving off great architecture and design. I usually dream up designs at night and tend to be a little obsessive. It’s like being inside a live coloring book. The designs just start pouring in.

JB: Where do you source your materials?

DF: Planet Earth! And we are always exploring new resources.

JB: What was your reaction when you found out Michelle Obama wore your earrings to meet with Queen Elizabeth?

LF: It was a pinch-me moment. Immediately tears welled in my eyes and I thought my unborn grandchildren are going to see our earrings in a museum one day.

DF: We were driving at the time someone called us with the news, and I screamed, almost causing an accident! I knew the eyes of the entire fashion world would be watching the First Lady’s meeting with Kate Middleton, so it was such an honor to be selected.

JB: When it comes to jewelry, what’s one piece every woman should own?

DF: The Love Always Bracelet. When I was little, my parents engraved a watch for me and I loved the fact that I had this message that no one else could see. It was special and personal. We wanted to give this feeling to each of our customers.

JB: What's next for Phillips House?

LF: From a professional standpoint, we’re expanding to the west coast. From a personal standpoint, we’re expecting a new baby (Danielle is pregnant, due in February)!

Julie Bensman is a seasoned digital strategist and content marketer with over a decade of editorial, brand and agency experience. She also hosts a travel show on BBC called RSVP Abroad. Originally from Chicago, Julie now splits her time between Los Angeles and New York. She enjoys skiing, pickling vegetables and supporting her local public library. You can find her on Twitter @JulieBensman.